Closet Make-Over

This year Thanksgiving was a bit unusual at the Treadwell household. We broke from tradition just a bit. For the past few years, we have chosen to spend Christmas in St. Louis with my side of the family, and this leaves us in Texas with our immediate five for Thanksgiving. We are okay with that now, but this year was unusual in a different way. We still had the usual fare, sticking to our tradition of each person contributing a cooked dish of their own: I make the turkey, Craig carves it; Tiffani made a quinoa pilaf; Jeremi his famous mashed potatoes; Bethani the dressing and sweet potato casserole; and I made the cranberry chutney.

This year, however, we decided to give our master closet a make-over on Thanksgiving day.Our old closet was really nice, but we (I) wanted amazing.

OLD CLOSET

I helped to pull all the clothes and stuff out of the closet, and then the kids and I worked in the kitchen while Craig was tearing out the closet rods, and patching the holes.

We ate dinner as usual at noon while the spackling dried.

When the china was all replaced in the cabinet, I changed into painting clothes, and put a faux finish on our closet walls. (No pictures please.)

When I finished with that project, up went the new ELFA CLOSET SYSTEM.
>



Amazingly awesome!

In my defense, my secular career dictates that I wear solid clothing that contrasts with the color of my hands. This makes it much easier for Deaf clients to see what I am signing. It really cramps my style, but I'm getting used to it. I have, however, found a way to express myself: through my feet. Works for me. (That is my story and I am sticking to it.)

The kids are really excited about our closet makeover. Why? They love us and want the best for us. (And they get our old organization elements for a closet makeover of their own.) All five of us have a new look in our closets!

Christmas 2009

Here is a family picture of us last week at Pastor Gore's church. We are ready for two weeks of fun at Nana's house.

Sunday's Tow Truck

Pow! "What was that?" Craig said. "I guess there was something in the road that I didn't see."

This Sunday was a typical preaching out weekend for us. We were only 1 hour away in Lewisville with Pastor and Sister Sales. Generally, by the time the last Amen is said on a Sunday night, I am ready to head for my bed. Yesterday was no exception, and as is normally the case, I was the 'mean ol mom' that said "no" to going out to eat with the pastor after church.

We had only been on the road for 5 minutes when we heard the loud "Pow!" We continued to exit the highway in search of a Taco Bell drive thru (they were 'starving to death' you know.) As we came off the exit ramp, the car began acting really strangely. The lightbulb came on in Craig's head and he said, "Oh, I know what it is, we blew a tire!" We pulled into the first parking lot we could find, got out, and sure enough, there it was--flat as a pancake!

Not to worry, though, we had a spare tire in the trunk and two strong, capable men to change it. (The directions folded up in the case of the jack didn't hurt anything either.) We girls just stood back and watched the men do their manly work. It all would have worked out great...if the spare had air in it. Ahm...

Not to worry, though, we have kept up our roadside assistance insurance since our trailer traveling days, and now we were going to get a return on that investment. (There went my goal of being in my own bed by 10:15.) Craig made the phone call, and then came back and told us that it could take up to 45 minutes for the tow truck to arrive. I took the pins out of my hair, shed my shoes, and curled up for a nap. I was jarred awake by the door slamming, and the bright emergency lights of the tow truck. We all got out of the car, and I plopped down on the sidewalk in my Sunday Best as we all watched the 20 minute drama of hoisting my dream car onto the bed of the tow truck. Craig's plan was to go to a nearby gas station and fill the tire with air, and then be on our way home. This was not to be. Apparently, one must fill the tire with air BEFORE putting it on the car.

NOW WHAT TO DO??? All 6 of us piled into the cab of the tow truck and bounced 50 minutes home. (Sorry Craig about your legs.)

Saturday Night Live

What a great time we all had at the Saturday Night Live at Oak Cliff Bible Church. This is a quarterly event in which Dallas area Deaf ministries get together for a Deaf concert, or singspiration (what you call it depends on what generation you are from.) I know, you are thinking, how can this be??? They turn the sound tracks up really loud so the Deaf can feel the vibrations, and many times there is a hearing person on the floor supporting the Deaf signers on the platform. Seeing the beautiful ASL from these Deaf Christians is amazing. And, I always enjoy the soul music they choose--always a few from Kirk Franklin. I copy-signed for Chanelle, my Deafblind friend. They were very interested to see this white girl try to copy what was being signed on the platform.

We had a great representation from North Cities this time, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

I noticed toward the end of the concert, the men had stood and were talking among themselves in the back. I suppose this was a "meeting of the male minds": 'we come to humor our wives...'

Summer 2009

It has been a wild and crazy summer. I have been so busy, I have not been able to blog, but here is a brief recap:

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mom just commented on how long it has been since my last post, and she is right. I am out of college and homeschool now, so I have no excuse.

Last week we entertained Nate, (Tiffani's friend from Indiana), and took the opportunity to tour the Kennedy memorial area.

This is a picture of the window from which the rifle was seen.


Here is the spot in the road where the car was when Kennedy was fatally shot.


It was a sobering tour, but very enlightening just the same.



Because Nate had never taken a train ride, we decided to add a little interest to our downtown trip and take the Dart train. On our way back, we got off at CityPlace and rode the McKinney trolley. It was just a piece of the past, and a bit of nostalgia. Here we are waiting for the train.

Gunbarrel City

We preached in Gunbarrel City this past weekend. Only in Texas...

Hello World!!!!! I am back.

All projects are finished and turned in--just waitin' for the final exams.

I am so happy to be back. My family is happy I'm back too. (Bethani keeps telling me so.)

Easter 2009

Here we are in our Easter best.

Our Godly Fruit

God has been good to us. I am so thankful for our children. What an awesome responsibility I feel to set a good example before them. I know that everyday I make mistakes--my prayer is that even in that they will learn and find themselves gracefully righting their wrongs.

My Cousin

This is my 5th cousin: Alexis Mercedes Benz

Thanksgiving 2008

This year, our family decided to try something new with our Thanksgiving meal. Okay, actually I came up with the idea. It was a good one, and I think it all went well. Here it is: Everyone is to take ownership of one of the food items. It was their responsibility to find the recipe, gather the ingredients, prepare the item, clean up after themselves, and present the dish on the table. Since this was just the first year, it went fairly well. I kept charge of the turkey and gravy and made a sesame asparagus salad; Craig decided to bake sweet potato casserole; Bethani cut up the bread and baked the cornbread for the stuffing; Jeremi was in charge of the mashed potatoes (and did a great job even without a mixer)(wouldn't you know it, our Kitchenaid died just one month ago); and Tiffani and Jeremi together made the Cranberry chutney. Our new friend, Jason Talley joined us for our Thanksgiving meal, and he brought a chicken shepherds's pie.

When we sat down, (after taking multiple pictures) we followed our tradition of passing around the taper candle, and listing the things we were most grateful for. We were all grateful for the things that we have: the Holy Ghost, truth, family, friends, home, things. I added this year the things I was grateful for things that I don't have: sickness, disease, poverty, debt, etc.

After all of the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, we did what we always do: Sit in the living room floor surrounded by the sale ads, and map our our plan of action for the next day. It seems every year we are waking earlier and earlier to seize the opportunity of sales. This year was no exception. Craig was up first, and headed to Walmart for the $130 Kitchenaid mixer to replace ours. Because there were only six mixers, and several greedy people, he did not push and shove to get one of those, but he and Bethani did get a GREAT bargain on one at Kohls. Tiffani and Jeremi went to Firewheel mall with Jason, (apparently Aldo was having an incredible sale) and I went to several stores that I can't mention (don't want to spoil any surprises).

God has truly been good to us this year, and we are so thankful.

The day after Thanksgiving, Homestead Heritage always has a huge craft festival, and this year was our second year to enjoy it. Click HERE for last year's experience. This year we enjoyed the various choirs, and the very skilled orchestra and craftsmen. Also, the kids handcrafted some Christmas gifts (shhh)and enjoyed some organic, (somewhat) healthy treats. The simplicity of the lives of those at Homestead Heritage is always enticing and inspiring. After hanging around them for a couple of days, we came home with a desire for greater godly character.

We stayed Friday night in an RV, and for Craig and I it was the first time since we had sold ours. What great memories and flashbacks that inspired. Some day...

Saturday night we were in our own beds, and Sunday morning we traveled to Gunbarrel City for church. We are true Texans now that we have been to Gunbarrel City. And, what an initiation some of us got! I won't go into all of the details except to say that it included two girls, four wheels, and a lake; a boy and a broken chain; a very windy day, mud, shivers, scratches, and bruises. (Don't worry Grammy and Nana, the only thing really hurt was a little pride.) (I don't know why, but they have invited us back for an Easter weekend that includes a tail, a mane, and four legs. I'll be sure to post about that.)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy 17th Birthday Tiffani!!

Nana and Papa flew in one week early to begin the celebration week. We ate at her favorite restaurant: Macaroni Grill. What a blessing to have family that is so involved in our lives!


















What a great week she had. It started with her favorite: riding horses.
Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. Even when the horses started running and it didn't look like they were going to stop. Even when the horses had them pressed against the barbed wire fence. Even when it was bumpy. Even when they got off and could hardly walk. Even when, one week later, ankles are battered and bleeding from the ride. They say, "It was worth it."






It is hard to buy surprises for a teenager, so she knew most of her presents.
We did manage to surprise her with a jacket that she had been drooling over. "The White Jacket"








The day after her birthday, Nana flew in again for a day of shopping and lunch at our favorite Japanese restaurant. What fun that was, just the girls. After we took her back to the airport, Tiffani and I finished up our shopping at Arlington Mills.




Well, she is 17 now. A beautiful 17! It seems to agree with her. Her spirit is as beautiful as she is, and I love her.

Clowning Around

Last Saturday Jeremi, Tiffani and I had a blast volunteereing as "Deaf Clowns" entertaining the children. Tiffani was "Bubbles" I was "Troubles" and Jeremi was Juggling JO. My theme for the day was to be just like Bubbles. I tried everything I could to imitate what she was doing. When I grow up, I want to be like her. "Where did you get your shoes?"


Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Milking The Cow

Although very much out of character for me, I am posting for all the world to see...enjoy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

California

Okay, so when I got back from Austin, I immediately took my 2 final exams, passed with 2 A's, and then began packing 5 suitcases for California. We spent 12 days in the Pismo Beach area. We did a prophecy conference and visited with Craig's family. It was on this trip that we got to meet our new niece/cousin. Craig helped to officiate Savannah's dedication.





Before I left for Austin, I pleated a bishop for my new niece, Savannah, and worked on it until the moment the plane touched down. (I had to work on the bonnet after we arrived.) Here she is wearing the finished product.




We spent some quality family time at an apple orchard. The Gala apples were the best!



Grammy was determined to have a bonfire on the beach at night. It would have been chilly, but the fire kept us warm. I know the kids will never forget it.





Here we are doing what we really enjoy.

Let the Summer Begin

Tuesday was my last final exam, the summer has officially begun for all of us. (Never mind the fact that I will be taking 9 credit hours in June.) We are looking forward to a summer jam-packed with fun and exciting adventures. With our calendar so full, I'm afraid it will zoom by, but we are going to try to savor each moment.

I won't be able to blog for a couple of weeks. Don't worry, I will fill you in...

Blessed

The music in this montage is what inspired this blog. I have to admit that from time to time I get to feeling a bit sorry for myself. Immature, huh? It is at those times that I need to stop and count my blessings. My husband has preached many times that people start to backslide when they stop being thankful. When I start to focus on ME and MY NEEDS, I am not only ignoring God's plan for my existence here on Earth, but I am hurting myself by brushing aside the blessings that come with focusing on others.

God has been so incredibly good to me. How could I complain??

The Red Plate-Special

Saturday morning, I woke to a phone call. It was my mother telling me that she would be landing at the DFW airport in just one hour to take me shopping and to lunch at our favorite restaurant. She flew in for the day to let me know that she thinks I am special.


Yesterday morning my youngest daughter woke up early, made banana pancakes, and served me breakfast in bed. She used the Red Plate to let me know that this was my special day. I am now 39.

My husband took our family of 5 to Tokyo One for lunch--it was a financial sacrifice, but he wanted me to know I was special.


Last night Craig and I toured the Galleria. He was looking for something to buy for me. "Do you like this? I'll buy it for you. How about this?" (The Louis Vuitton store did not count--I certainly found something there.) We finally found something. I felt special.

Sis. McGree took our kids home from the church so we wouldn't have to rush back. On our way home we stopped at Braums for a really special treat.

Altogether I received eight birthday cards from family and friends who always remember me. Four phone calls came in wishing me a great day. Even Henry, my college teacher and Preston, a rough-around-the-edges kind of guy signed the traditional song in ASL.

Before going upstairs to bed, Bethani came to me in such a sincere way, gave me a big hug and said, "Mom, I love you. Happy Birthday." THAT made me feel special.

Yes, I am truly blessed to have wonderful people in my life. Thank you Lord for blessing me.

Easter 2008

Windy Easter Morning









The Kiss